APEX 2026

CHDS Alumni Professional Exchange

February 17-19, 2026 at the
Naval Postgraduate School

Sessions

Day 1 Sessions
Tuesday, the 17th
Registration & Coffee Service
08:00 AM – 08:30 AM
Opening Ceremony
08:30 AM – 08:50 AM

National Anthem by Velvet Piini. Welcome by Jodi Stiles. Opening Remarks by Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau. Workshop Overview by Elaine Jennings.

Service and Leadership, A Fireside Conversation
08:50 AM – 10:00 AM

The Honorable Leon Panetta, moderated by Evy Poumpouras, Former Special Agent, USSS.

Morning Break
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM
Hiding in Plain Sight: How Chinese Manufacturing and Cartel Logistics Converge at America's Vape Counters
10:20 AM – 11:40 AM

Presentation by Ray Guidetti and Giacomo Sacca.

Lunch
11:40 AM – 01:00 PM

NPS on Campus Dining Options

Fireside Chat on AI and Future Trends
01:00 PM – 02:15 PM

Rodrigo Nieto-Gomez, CHDS Faculty and Jacob Andra, CEO Talbot West.

Afternoon Break
02:15 PM – 02:35 PM
Panel: Legal Considerations of Federalizing the National Guard
02:35 PM – 04:00 PM

Panel discussion with Kevin McMahan, Joseph Nunn, and Lisel Petis.

Adjourn
04:00 PM – 04:00 PM
APEX Reception
05:30 PM – 08:00 PM

Evening Event at the Black Horse/Bayonet Golf Club, 1 McClure Way, Seaside, CA. All alumni and guests, speakers, faculty, and staff are invited. Light appetizers will be served.

Day 2 Sessions
Wednesday, the 18th
Coffee Service
08:00 AM – 08:30 AM
Welcome & Day 2 Overview
08:30 AM – 08:45 AM
Next Gen Homeland Security: Great Power Competition in 2026
08:45 AM – 10:15 AM

Panel with Seth Jones, Kieran Ramsey, Chris Kuhn, and Rita Martess.

Morning Break
10:15 AM – 10:35 AM
A New Framework for Inquiry
10:35 AM – 11:45 AM

Presentation by Vern Pierson, District Attorney, El Dorado County.

Lunch
11:45 AM – 01:00 PM

NPS on Campus Dining Options

The National Security Strategy – Considerations for Practitioners
01:00 PM – 02:15 PM

Moderated by Dan O'Connor, Acting CISO, FEMA. With Paul Rasmussen and Keith Carter from the Institute for Regional and International Security.

Afternoon Break
02:15 PM – 02:35 PM
CHDS Live! The New Community Engagement Tool
02:35 PM – 03:00 PM

Presented by Heather Hollingsworth, Jodi Stiles, and Morgan James, CHDS.

Innovation in Drone Technology and Tactics
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM

Lauren Fernandez, CHDS Faculty and Aleksandar Matovski, NPS Faculty.

Adjourn
04:00 PM – 04:00 PM
Day 3 Sessions
Thursday, the 19th
Welcome & Day 3 Overview
08:30 AM – 08:45 AM

Rosemary McDonnell. Presentation of CHDSA Christopher Bellavita Educator Award. Presentation of the CHDS Alumni Service Award by Elaine Jennings.

The Future of Emergency Management
08:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Justin Kates, Senior Business Continuity Advisor at Wawa, Inc. Emily Pelliccia, Deputy Chief of Emergency Management, Albemarle County (VA) Fire Rescue. Emily Martuscello, Director of Emergency Management, Nashua Office of Emergency Management.

Morning Break
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM
After the Call: Creating Your Next Identity
10:20 AM – 11:45 AM

Chris Hsiung, Undersheriff San Mateo and Co-founder of The Curve.

Lunch
11:45 AM – 01:00 PM
Policy and Strategy Considerations for Growing Demand in NSSE Events
01:00 PM – 02:15 PM

Clint Osborn, Director, HSEMA.

Afternoon Break
02:15 PM – 02:35 PM
Developing and Defending a National Cyber Border
02:35 PM – 04:00 PM

Phillip Osborn, DHS-HSI Supervisory Special Agent (Ret.).

Adjourn
04:00 PM – 04:00 PM